Youssou N'Dour has maintained his position as the most influential musician in Africa not just because of the quality of his singing but also the way he has constantly changed direction. Over the past two decades his output has ranged from the driving Senegalese style, mbalax, through to dodgy western-influenced ballads.

Now comes his most intriguing project to date. N'Dour grew up listening to Egyptian styles (his father was a fan of Oum Kalsoum) and here he mixes Senegalese influences with a full Egyptian orchestra. The aim is to praise Islam, the religion the two countries share, though the emphasis is on Senegal's local Sufi brotherhoods.

It starts with a prayer, Allah, in which a female chorus and an orchestra set the mood for an album of swirling strings, drums and flutes, matched by powerful singing from N'Dour.

This should prove to be one of the albums of the year.